Names Ending in -en for Boys

Take modern virtue Brave, add the trendy -n ending, and voilà! A cool new word-meets-surname name which feels bang on trend right now.

Braven

Kainen is a modern masculine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Kainan (a Biblical name), a form of the Irish name Keenan (meaning "ancient"), or a contemporary creation inspired by popular "Kay" and "Kai" sounds. The name has gained modest usage in recent decades, particularly in the United States, as parents seek distinctive yet accessible names. Kainen has a strong, contemporary sound with its crisp consonants and familiar ending. The name projects a sense of strength and individuality while remaining relatively easy to spell and pronounce. For parents seeking a modern-sounding name with potential traditional connections, Kainen offers an appealing balance.

Kainen

Though it has some distinguished political and tennis world associations, most modern parents would go for the more contemporary sounding Holden.  Tilden Park is a beautiful hillside wilderness in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tilden

Kisen

A variant form of Laurence or Lawrence which ranked in the #200s in the US from the 1900s through to the 1960s. It didn't fall off the boys' Top 1000 until the late 1990s, following the huge popularity of Lauren for girls.

Now, though, with gender-neutral names on the ascendant, Loren is used fairly evenly for both genders. Last year in the US, 75 baby girls were named Loren and 60 baby boys, making Loren an excellent nonbinary choice.

Loren

Macsen may sound like a modern invention, cousin to Jackson and Maxon, but it's a longtime Welsh variation of Maximus with evocative roots in legend.  Macsen Wledig is another name for the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus, was played an important role in Welsh history and was further immortalized in a poem celebrating his dream about his lover Elen.  Macsen also appears in Arthurian legend.

Macsen

Acen is a concise masculine name with multiple potential origins. In some African cultures, particularly Ugandan, it can mean 'born during harvesting time' or 'first born.' The name may also have connections to Latin roots, as a variation of names related to 'Ace' (meaning 'unity' or 'first'). With its simple two-syllable structure and modern sound, Acen has emerged as a contemporary choice that appeals to parents seeking minimalist names with cultural depth. While still uncommon in most Western countries, its brevity aligns with current naming trends favoring short, distinctive names. The name's cross-cultural potential gives it versatility across different backgrounds.

Acen

Halen is a cool surname name that will be especially appealing to fans of Van Halen.

Halen

Naming your son Armen is like naming him Roman, or German -- it's the term that denotes a person of Armenian descent. Armen has been used as a first name for centuries and is an unusual yet approachable choice, especially if you want to honor your Armenian heritage.

Armen

Dreyden

Javen is a modern masculine name that likely developed as a contemporary variation of biblical names like Jason or Jacob, or possibly as a masculine form of the name Haven with the initial 'J' providing a more traditionally masculine sound. Emerging primarily in the late 20th century in the United States, Javen gained modest recognition through the 2000s as parents sought distinctive yet accessible names. The name has a contemporary feel while maintaining conventional pronunciation patterns, making it distinctive without being difficult to say or spell. Javen carries a fresh, vibrant quality with its soft consonants and balanced syllables. While not extraordinarily common, it has gained enough usage to be recognized as an established name while still offering individuality to its bearers.

Javen

Jaxsen represents a modern alternative spelling of Jackson, a name that has enjoyed tremendous popularity as both a surname and first name. The traditional Jackson derives from 'son of Jack' (itself a diminutive of John, meaning 'God is gracious'). This contemporary variation with 'x' and 'sen' epitomizes the trend toward unique spellings of familiar names that gained momentum in the early 2000s. The 'x' adds a modern edge while 'sen' softens the ending compared to the more abrupt 'son.' Jaxsen maintains the strong, masculine qualities of Jackson while offering distinctiveness. This spelling variation appeals to parents who appreciate the name's traditional roots and strong sound but desire something more unique for their child. Despite the altered spelling, the pronunciation remains essentially the same as the traditional form.

Jaxsen

Korben is a spelling that gets some attention since Bruce Willis's character name in The Fifth Element was Korben Dallas.

Korben

Toren is a masculine name with Nordic and Hebrew origins, carrying different meanings depending on cultural context. In Scandinavian usage, it derives from Thor, the Norse god of thunder, combined with elements meaning 'thunder' or 'warrior.' In Hebrew, Toren means 'mast' or 'pole,' symbolizing strength and stability. The name has a strong, concise sound with its two distinct syllables. While uncommon in most Western countries, Toren has seen modest usage in Scandinavian countries, Israel, and among parents seeking distinctive yet accessible names. The name travels well across different languages due to its straightforward pronunciation. Toren appeals to parents interested in names with cross-cultural significance, combining Nordic strength with Hebrew symbolism while maintaining a contemporary sound that works in modern contexts.

Toren

The surname Witten (and variants such as Whitten) is a patronym derived from Witte or Witt, which was a nickname for people with white hair or a pale complexion in Germany and the Netherlands. It makes a very cool (and rare!) name for a son — the stylish nickname Witt seals the deal.

Witten

Azaylen

Beren is a Noldorin name created by J. R. R. Tolkien for his fantasy universe. A great hero in the books, Beren is notable for his love story with Luthien — so notable that Beren and Luthien are the names on the gravestone of Tolkien and his wife, Edith.

Beren is also a Turkish name used for both boys and girls meaning strong and smart.

Beren

Daren is a masculine name with multiple origins, primarily considered a variant of Darren, which derives from the Irish surname Ó Dairrín, meaning 'descendant of Darragh' (oak tree). This nature-connected etymology gives the name an earthy strength. The spelling 'Daren' offers a streamlined, modern alternative to the more traditional 'Darren.' The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. Daren projects qualities of reliability and straightforwardness with its clear, strong sounds. While less common than some contemporary male names, Daren maintains a timeless quality that works well across different age groups, making it neither trendy nor outdated.

Daren

Jaeden is a contemporary masculine name that emerged in popularity during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It represents a modern variant spelling of Jaden, which itself originated as a creative derivative of the biblical name Jade or Jordan. The name conveys a fresh, dynamic quality that appealed to parents seeking distinctive yet accessible names. Jaeden's spelling with the added 'e' gives it a slightly more elaborate appearance than simpler variants. The name has cross-cultural appeal, functioning well in diverse communities while maintaining its modern American origins. While the name peaked in popularity during the early 2000s, it continues to be used at moderate levels. Notable bearers include several young actors and athletes who have helped maintain the name's contemporary, energetic associations.

Jaeden

Kashten is a contemporary masculine name that appears to be a modern variation of the more familiar Kaston or Caston, or possibly influenced by the word 'cashton.' With its strong consonants and trendy '-en' ending, Kashten fits perfectly among today's popular boy names. The name has a robust, masculine sound while maintaining a certain softness in its ending. Kashten likely appeals to parents seeking a name that sounds familiar yet stands apart from common choices. As a relatively new naming creation, it doesn't carry historical or traditional meaning, allowing families to establish their own associations. The name has gained some traction in recent years, particularly among parents drawn to similar modern inventions like Jaxton, Kayden, and Easton.

Kashten

Baby boy names ending in the letters -en are among the most fashionable names today, with choices such as Aiden, Hayden, and Owen leading the pack. Names rhyming with Aiden are especially popular, with seemingly any letter working in the lead and a range of spellings used in the middle.

Along with Aiden, the 

 include Brayden, both Cayden and Caden, three spellings starting with a J including Jaden and Jaiden and Jayden, plus three K versions including Kaden and Kaiden and Kayden. Further down the list, well-used boy names in this family also include Graydon and Zayden.

More classic boy names also are members of the trendy -en pack: think Stephen and Allen. Trendy en-ending names range from the literary Holden to the biblical Reuben to the surname-name Cohen. 

 that we recommend include Niven, O'Brien, and Quillen.

If you love the sound of boys' names that end in -en, be aware that the sound is more common than you'd think, given that it also includes boys' names that end in -an and -on, including such megapopular choices as Jackson, Mason, Ethan, and Jordan.

Here, all the boys' names on Nameberry that end in -en, ordered by popularity on Nameberry.

Boy names that end in -en including popular boy names ending in -en and unique boy names that end in -en, with meanings, origins, and popularity. (Page 10)

650+ Boy Names That End in -en